As part of my duties in wrangling data for Smithsonian Research Online, I worked on a project to collect and ingest the historic legacy of published scholarship produced by Smithsonian researchers since the Institution’s inception in 1846. The main focus of my participation is cleaning and preparing the data, but I find it hard to resist not paying attention to its historic significance. I’ll admit occasionally getting lost thinking about what it more »

The Libraries has a list of American Women’s History Resources with links to many interesting items, including the National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection at the Library of Congress, which includes items of the famous suffragette.

Mrs. Lydia Green Abell, Woman in her various relations; containing practical rules for American females, 1853, The title page from "Woman in her various relations" emphasizes the sanctity of motherhood. In her book, Woman in her various relations; containing practical rules for American females, etiquette expert Lydia Green Abell wrote on topics she felt would interest women of the mid-19th century such as: THE BEST METHODS FOR DINNERS AND SOCIAL PARTIES—A CHAPTER FOR YOUNG LADIES, MOTHERS, AND INVALIDS—HINTS ON THE BODY, MIND, AND CHARACTER—WITH A GLANCE AT WOMAN'S RIGHTS AND WRONGS, PROFESSIONS, COSTUME, ETC., ETC. She talks about the American Woman in the introduction: The present volume is offered to the public, dedicated to American Females. We are living when the allotments and responsibilities of Woman, in her own appropriate sphere, should be brought before the mind in their true weight and importance. And expands on the modern American Woman later in the text: Woman, as mistress of a family, occupies a station where her influence is deeply, if not widely felt. more »

The Lovett Co., Lovett's Guide (1898), Little Silver, NJ The Libraries' trade literature collection is a resource that tells us about commerce in this country, but it is also a peek into society and its customs. Witness this 1898 seed catalogue. Lovett's Guide, from Little Silver, N.J. aims to sell grass seed, yes, but it is also trying to appeal to the modern woman. Not only is the lady (probably the mother in this family) front and center, but she definitely looks like she can teach her husband and son a thing or two about golf and the green. During most of the 1890s ladies' fashion still featured wasp-waisted attire for women, and this golfing outfit is no exception. But it is from the end of the decade, and the shorter length and sportier, simpler styling are a hint of changes to come. —Elizabeth Periale Related link: Ladies Professional Golf Association